The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a stunning upset in the opening contest of their first‑round playoff series, edging the Houston Rockets 107‑98. LeBron James anchored the effort with a solid double‑double, contributing 19 points and dishing out 13 assists.
Yet it was the performance of recent acquisition Luke Kennard that truly captured headlines. Kennard erupted for 27 points, marking the second‑highest scoring output ever recorded by a player in their Lakers postseason debut and setting a new personal best for his playoff career after joining the team from Atlanta in February. The Lakers were able to exploit the Rockets’ misfortune, as star forward Kevin Durant was sidelined with a right‑knee injury and could not take part in the game. This continued the long‑awaited wait for a playoff showdown between the two super‑stars, a matchup that fans have been yearning for for eight years.
Despite Durant’s absence, the Lakers showed why they remain a formidable contender. "I have to do a little bit of everything; that’s what the job demands," James said in the post‑game interview.
"I need to be a triple‑threat—rebounding, passing, shooting, defending—and find ways to add value for the team. It will be a game‑to‑game battle to see how the series unfolds. I don’t script my actions; the only thing I control is how I prepare." When asked about the broader NBA schedule, James humorously noted the growing popularity of the league, mentioning that NBA games are now streamed live on Sky Sports and other platforms without a contract.
He added, "I’ve been in every possible situation a basketball player can imagine, so nothing really surprises me anymore." Both squads entered the game without key contributors. The Rockets were missing Luka Doncic, who has been out indefinitely since early April, and the Lakers were without Austin Reaves, also sidelined with an injury.
Durant’s late withdrawal due to a bruised knee further hampered Houston’s lineup. A historic moment also unfolded for James off the stat sheet: for the first time in his career, he shared the playoff floor with his son, Bronny James. The younger James, who has been making his own mark in the league, played alongside his father, while the family—Bronny’s sister, mother, and grandmother—watched from the stands. LeBron reflected on the emotional significance, saying, "This year has been wild.
Playing a playoff game with my son is probably the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me. Seeing my mom watch both her son and grandson compete in the postseason is just unbelievable." Los Angeles’ efficiency was a decisive factor. The Lakers shot an impressive 60.6 percent from the field, while the Rockets struggled to find rhythm, managing only 37.6 percent. Their defensive intensity forced numerous turnovers and limited Houston’s scoring opportunities.
The next game in the series is slated for 3:30 a.m. on April 22, broadcast live on Sky Sports from the Lakers’ home arena. Durant will have to wait at least one more contest before making his playoff debut for the Rockets after aggravating his knee during a practice session.
In other playoff action, the Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2026 postseason with a 126‑113 triumph over the Toronto Raptors, finally breaking a three‑game losing streak against the Canadian club from earlier in the season. Max Strus, who missed most of the regular season due to injury, teamed up with newly signed veteran James Harden to combine for 46 points, propelling Cleveland to an early series lead on their home floor. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets secured a 116‑105 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokic delivering a classic performance: a 25‑point triple‑double that underscored his status as one of the league’s premier all‑around players and gave Denver the opening win of their series.
The New York Knicks also claimed a 113‑102 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1. The contest was tightly contested at halftime, but the Knicks pulled away in the third quarter. Star guard Jalen Brunson led the charge, finishing with 28 points and seven assists, helping New York seize an early series advantage.
The 2026 NBA playoffs continue to roll out on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, beginning at 6 p.m. British Summer Time, with four games featured on Sky Sports Action: - 6 p.m.: Philadelphia 76ers (7) @ Boston Celtics (2) - 8:30 p.m.: Phoenix Suns (8) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (1) - 11 p.m.: Orlando Magic (8) @ Detroit Pistons (1) - 2 a.m.: Portland Trail Blazers (7) @ San Antonio Spurs (2) Sky Sports has also announced that it will broadcast every game of the Western Conference Finals live starting May 20, ensuring fans can follow the high‑stakes battles as the league moves toward the championship.
The combination of historic moments, breakout performances, and intense competition sets the stage for an unforgettable postseason narrative across both conferences.